Gloveport assembly and method of replacing components

ABSTRACT

A replacement glove assembly is generally disclosed herein. The replacement glove assembly has a replacement access element defining an outermost shoulder end and an innermost hand end configured to receive a hand of a user. A replacement sealing assembly engages the outermost shoulder end of the replacement access element and defines a leading radial face defining a first coupling structure, a trailing radial face defining a second coupling structure, and an outer annular surface configured to be received by a glove port. A first glove cap has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side defines a first mating structure sealably engaged with the first coupling structure of the leading radial face. The second side defines a second mating structure that is configured to sealably engage the second coupling structure of the trailing radial face of the replacement sealing assembly.

This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority toU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/099,817 filed Jan. 5, 2015, and theentire contents of the U.S. Provisional Application are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The field of technology relates to replacement of glove box componentssuch as gloves in an efficient manner without breaking containment.

BACKGROUND

In various industries it is preferable to work, test, assemble, and thelike, in an environment that is isolated from normal ambient conditions.For example, it can be preferable for such activities to be contained ina substantially dirtier environment than the ambient conditions, such ashot cells or laboratories, so inside waste does not substantially affectconditions on the outside. In other examples, such as medical andpharmaceutical applications, it may be preferable for activities tooccur in a substantially cleaner environment, where outside debris andbacteria cannot substantially affect conditions in the cleanenvironment. A sealed glove system facilitates the performance of workwithin an enclosure by an operator outside of the enclosure in extendinga hand and arm through a glove sealed in a port in a barrier wall of theenclosure.

Gloves for remote handling of substances within a glove box are wearparts. Constant flexing of a glove by the user will naturally causeleakage if not replaced according to a regular maintenance schedule.Also, occasionally gloves will fail prematurely. The replacement processin these systems shuts down production and utilizes costly labor.Replacement in these systems can also be made safer by reducing theoccurrence of a glove breach causing contamination of the area outsidethe glovebox. What is needed is a glove replacement system that allowsfor glove servicing that can be accomplished by potentially only oneperson, and a quicker, easier, cleaner, safer, and less costlyreplacement process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The current technology may be more completely understood and appreciatedin consideration of the following detailed description of variousembodiments of the current technology in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a gloveport having a glove.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a replacement glove assembly.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one step in a method consistent withthe technology disclosed herein.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of another step in a method consistentwith the technology disclosed herein.

FIG. 4B is a detail view of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of yet another step in a methodconsistent with the technology disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of yet another step in a methodconsistent with the technology disclosed herein.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a gloveport having an alternateglove assembly configuration consistent with the technology disclosedherein.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a replacement glove assemblyconsistent with the technology disclosed herein.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a step associated with theconfigurations depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the glove port consistent with FIG.7 in an alternate configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a gloveport having a glove. Aglovebox wall 120 separates the glovebox side 121 of the wall from theoutside surface 122 of the glovebox. An annular port ring 100 is presentin a port opening 102 of the glovebox wall 120. An access elementdisposed in the annular port ring 100 is configured to provide a userwith access to the inside of the glovebox through the glovebox wall 120.In the current embodiment, the access element is a glove 160. Thepresence of the glove 160 provides access to the glovebox side 121 ofthe glovebox wall 120 without contamination of either the outside of theglovebox from the glovebox side 121 of the wall or of the glovebox side121 of the wall from the outside of the glovebox. The annular port ring100 is generally cylindrical and extends at least partially through theport opening 102 defined by the thickness of the glovebox wall 120, anddefines an outer annular surface 124 extending beyond the outsidesurface 122 of the glovebox wall 120. The annular port ring 100 alsodefines an inner annular surface 106.

The annular port ring can comprise a variety of materials, any of whichare currently used in the art such as stainless steel, aluminum,plastics, and so on. Commonly a 300 series stainless steel is used. Theinner annular surface 106 of the annular port ring 100 can define one ormore grooves (not shown) that are configured to receive o-rings todefine one or more additional sealing structures.

The access element, which is a glove 160 in the current embodiment, hasan outermost shoulder end 161 and in innermost hand end 162 that isconfigured to receive the hand of a user through an opening on theoutermost shoulder end 161. In at least one embodiment, the glove 160comprises a substantially impermeable flexible material such asneoprene. The outermost shoulder end 161 of the glove 160 is sealablysecured to the inner annular surface 106 of the annular port ring 100with a gloveport sealing assembly 150.

The gloveport sealing assembly 150 engages the outermost shoulder end161 of the glove 160. The gloveport sealing assembly 150 generallydefines a leading radial face 151, a trailing radial face 153, and anouter annular surface 155 that is configured to be received by agloveport. The term “leading” is used to refer to the surface(s) of therelevant component/assembly that is configured to be inserted firsttowards the annular port ring from the outside of the glovebox wall 120towards the glovebox. The term “trailing” is used to refer to theopposite surface(s) of the component/assembly that is configured tofollow the leading face. In a number of embodiments, the outer annularsurface 155 of the gloveport sealing assembly 150 is configured to forma seal with the inner annular surface 106 of the annular port ring 100.

In the current embodiment, the gloveport sealing assembly 150 has aninner support ring 154 and an outer support ring 156 that mutuallyengages the outermost shoulder end 161 of the glove 160 there-between.The inner support ring 154 and the outer support ring 156 are generallyconfigured to mechanically engage and seal the outermost shoulder end161 of the glove 160, which can be accomplished through a variety ofstructural configurations. In a variety of embodiments the inner supportring 154 and the outer support ring 156 are separate components, and ina variety of some other embodiments the inner support ring 154 and theouter support ring 156 are a single component. An o-ring can be disposedbetween the inner support ring 154 and the outer support ring 156 todefine a seal with the outermost shoulder end 161 of the glove 160. Insome embodiments no o-ring is disposed between the inner support ring154 and the outer support ring 156.

The gloveport sealing assembly 150 has one or more gaskets 152, 158 thatare configured to create a seal between the glovebox and the outsideenvironment at the juncture(s) between the inner annular surface 106 ofthe annular port ring 100 and one or both of the inner support ring 154and the outer support ring 156. In the current embodiment, an outergasket 158 is sealingly disposed between the outer support ring 156 andthe inner annular surface 106 of the annular port ring 100. Similarly,an inner gasket 152 is sealingly disposed between the inner annularsurface 106 of the annular port ring 100 and inner support ring 154. Insome embodiments, the inner gasket 152 and the outer gasket 158 areseparate components, while in other embodiments the inner gasket 152 andthe outer gasket 158 can be a single component. In embodiments where theinner gasket 152 and the outer gasket 158 are a single component, thegasket can form a sleeve or a portion of a sleeve over the inner supportring 154 and the outer support ring 156. In some embodiments the innergasket 152 at least partially defines the leading radial face 151 of thegloveport sealing assembly 150. In some embodiments the outer gasket 158at least partially defines the trailing radial face 153 of the gloveportsealing assembly 150. One or more o-rings can additionally be usedbetween components in the gloveport sealing assembly 150, such asbetween the inner support ring 154 and the outer support ring 156.

FIG. 2 depicts a replacement glove assembly 200 consistent with thetechnology disclosed herein. The replacement glove assembly 200 isconfigured to replace an access element in a gloveport, such as thoseconsistent with the gloveport depicted in FIG. 1. The replacement gloveassembly 200 has a replacement glove 260 and a replacement sealingassembly 250 that sealably engages an outermost shoulder end 261 of thereplacement glove 260. Similar to the gloveport sealing assemblydiscussed above with reference to FIG. 1, the replacement sealingassembly 250 has a leading radial face 251, a trailing radial face 253,and an outer annular surface 255 that is configured to be received by aglove port. More particularly, the replacement sealing assembly 250 hasa replacement inner gasket 252 abutting a replacement inner support ring254, abutting a replacement outer support ring 256, abutting areplacement outer gasket 258, although alternate configurations arecertainly contemplated.

A glove cap 280 of the replacement glove assembly 200 isolates the outersurface of the replacement glove 260, which will be exposed to theenvironment inside the glovebox, from the environment outside theglovebox. The glove cap 280 generally has a first side 282 and a secondside 284 opposite the first side 282, where the first side 282 can bethe leading side and the second side 284 can be the trailing side. Thesecond side 284 of the glove cap 280 can be sealably engaged with theleading radial face 251 of the replacement sealing assembly 250 in avariety of embodiments. In a number of embodiments, the second side 284of the glove cap 280 defines a first mating structure 286 and theleading radial face 251 of the replacement sealing assembly 250 definesa first coupling structure 257, where the first mating structure 286 andthe first coupling structure 257 are configured to mutually sealablyengage. In at least one embodiment the first side 282 of the glove cap280 forms a snap-fit connection with the leading face of the replacementsealing assembly 250, such as with the replacement inner support ring254, to seal the outer surface 264 of the replacement glove 260 from theenvironment. In at least one other embodiment, the first side 282 of theglove cap 280 forms a bayonet connection with the leading radian face251 of the replacement sealing assembly 250.

An outer sleeve 290 is generally configured to protect the outer annularsurface 255 of the replacement sealing assembly 250 from the environmentoutside the glovebox, where the outer annular surface 255 of thereplacement sealing assembly 250 is configured to be received by theinner annular surface 106 of the annular port ring 100 (See FIG. 1). Theouter sleeve 290 can be in sealing engagement with the outer annularsurface 255 of the replacement sealing assembly 250. The outer sleeve290 generally defines an inner annular surface 296 that is configured tosealably receive the outer annular surface 255 of the replacementsealing assembly 250. The outer sleeve 290 can form a sealed, frictionalfit with one or more outer annular surfaces of the replacement sealingassembly 250. For example, in one embodiment the outer sleeve 290 formsa sealed, frictional fit, such as an interference fit, with thereplacement inner gasket 252 and the replacement outer gasket 258.

The outer sleeve 290 generally defines a leading radial face 298 and anopening 292 central to the leading radial face 298 that is configured toaccommodate the replacement sealing assembly 250. The opening 292 cangenerally be central relative to the outer sleeve 290. The outer sleeve290 defines a radial lip 294 extending inward from the inner annularsurface 296 of the outer sleeve 290 to abut the trailing radial face 253of the replacement sealing assembly 250. Generally the radial lip 294 ofthe outer sleeve 290 exposes at least a portion of the trailing radialface 253 of the replacement sealing assembly 250. In some alternateembodiments the outer sleeve 290 does not define such a radial lip 294.In various embodiments the outer sleeve 290 is configured to allow thereplacement sealing assembly 250 to translate out of the outer sleeve290 in at least one direction.

Generally the surfaces of the replacement glove assembly 200 will besterilized prior to use, particularly those surfaces that are configuredto be eventually exposed to the environment inside of the glovebox, suchas outer surface 264 of the replacement glove 260 and the second side284 of the glove cap 280, which will be described in more detail below.Also, typically the outer annular surface 255 of the replacement sealingassembly 250, which is configured to abut the inner annular surface ofan annular port ring (see FIG. 1, for example), and the inner annularsurface of the outer sleeve 290 will also be sterilized to minimize riskfor contamination of the annular port ring.

In some embodiments, however, the replacement glove assembly 200 doesnot have an outer sleeve 290. Such embodiments can be preferable insituations where the outer annular surface 255 of the replacementsealing assembly 250 will be sterilized prior to insertion in an annularport ring. Such embodiments can also be preferable in situations wherethe glovebox is contaminated relative to the outside environment, sothere is little risk of outside environment contaminating the contentsof the glovebox.

Now the process of installing the replacement glove assembly 200 andremoving the original glove (See FIG. 1) will be described withreference to FIGS. 3-6. Turning to FIG. 3 (the replacement glove 260 isomitted from this particular figure for clarity), the leading face 202of the replacement glove assembly 200 is positioned in the port opening102 in the outermost end (relative to the glovebox) of the annular portring 100 to abut the original gloveport sealing assembly 150. Theleading face 202 of the replacement glove assembly 200, a substantialportion of which is defined by a glove cap 280, is aligned with thetrailing radial face 153 of the original gloveport sealing assembly 150that is disposed in the annular port ring 100. In some embodiments,including the one depicted, the leading radial face 298 of the outersleeve 290 (which partially defines the leading face 202 of thereplacement glove assembly) is partially inserted in the annular portring 100 to align the leading face 202 of the replacement glove assembly200 with the trailing radial face 153 of the original gloveport sealingassembly 150.

In FIGS. 4A and 4B the replacement glove 260, the replacement sealingassembly 250, and the glove cap 280 are pushed partially through theannular port ring 100. In at least one embodiment, such components aremanually pushed through the annular port ring 100 through an opening 292defined by the outer sleeve 290. In another embodiment a tool is used topush the relevant components through the annular port ring 100. In avariety of embodiments, pushing pressure is applied to the at least aportion of the trailing radial face 253 of the replacement sealingassembly 250 to push the replacement glove 260, replacement sealingassembly 250 and the glove cap 280 towards the glovebox side 121 of theglovebox wall 120 through the annular port ring 100.

A structural interference mutually defined by the outer sleeve 290 andthe inner annular surface 106 of the annular port ring 100 preventsprogression of the outer sleeve 290 through the port opening 102. Assuch, progression of the replacement glove 260, the replacement sealingassembly 250, and the glove cap 280 through the annular port ring 100results in removal of the outer sleeve 290 from the sealing surface ofthe replacement sealing assembly 250. When the replacement sealingassembly 250 translates out from the outer sleeve 290 into the annularport ring 100, the replacement sealing assembly 250 is configured toform a seal with the inner annular surface 106 of the annular port ring100.

The glove cap 280 is generally transferred from the replacement sealingassembly 250 to the original gloveport sealing assembly 150. As such,the glove cap 280 is coupled to the trailing radial face 153 of theoriginal gloveport sealing assembly 150. While it has been describedabove that the second side 284 of the glove cap 280 defines a firstmating structure 286 that sealably engages that first coupling structure257 of the replacement glove assembly 200. The glove cap 280 furtherdefines a second mating structure 288 on its first side 282 that isconfigured to sealably engage a second coupling structure 159 defined bythe trailing radial face 153 of the original gloveport sealing assembly150 (See FIG. 4B).

Because the original gloveport sealing assembly 150 and the replacementsealing assembly 250 are generally configured to be structurallysimilar, if not identical, it follows that the trailing radial face 253of the replacement sealing assembly 250 also defines a second couplingstructure 259 that is configured to sealably engage the second matingstructure 288 defined by the first side 282 of the glove cap 280, aswell as second mating structures defined by the first side of otherglove caps of other replacement glove assemblies. It also follows thatthe leading radial face 151 of the original gloveport sealing assembly150 defines a first coupling structure 157 that is configured tosealably engage the first mating structure 286 defined by the secondside 284 of the glove cap 280. In some embodiments, upon pushing thereplacement glove 260, the replacement sealing assembly 250, and theglove cap 280 through the annular port ring 100, the leading face, orfirst side 282, of the glove cap 280 sealably engages the trailingradial face 153 of the original gloveport sealing assembly 150. The sealcould be formed via a snap fit, as one example embodiment. In anotherembodiment, the leading face that is the first side 282 of the glove cap280 mates with the trailing radial face 153 of the original gloveportsealing assembly 150 by another means, such as through a bayonetconnection, for example. In such an example, the glove cap 280 wouldsealably engage the trailing radial face 153 of the gloveport sealingassembly 150 by rotation the glove cap 280 relative to the gloveportsealing assembly 150.

Referring to FIG. 5, the outer sleeve (not currently depicted) can beremoved and the remaining components of the replacement glove assemblyare further progressed through the annular port ring 100 into the properposition. In some embodiments, the proper position is achieved when theleading radial face 251 of the replacement sealing assembly 250 issubstantially aligned with a leading face of the annular port ring 100.At this point the original glove 160 and the original gloveport sealingassembly 150 are substantially removed from the annular port ring 100,and both of the trailing radial face 151 of the original gloveportsealing assembly 150 and the leading radial face 251 of the replacementsealing assembly 250 are coupled to the glove cap 280.

Referring to FIG. 6, the glove cap 280 is disconnected from the leadingradial face 251 of the replacement sealing assembly 250 and the outersurface of the replacement glove 260 is exposed to the environmentinside the glovebox. In various embodiments the replacement glove 260 isready for use. In some embodiments the glove cap 280 is released fromthe leading face of the replacement sealing assembly 250 by manuallypushing on the glove cap 280 away from the replacement sealing assembly250. In such an embodiment a user can insert his/her hand in thereplacement glove 260, for example, to push the glove cap 280 away fromthe replacement sealing assembly 250. In another embodiment the glovecap 280 is released from the leading face of the replacement sealingassembly 250 by rotating the glove cap 280 relative to the leading faceof the replacement sealing assembly 250.

Transferring the glove cap 280 from the replacement sealing assembly 250to the original gloveport sealing assembly 150 allows the replacementaccess element, such as the replacement glove 260 to be used.Transferring the glove cap 280 to original gloveport sealing assembly150 isolates the inner surface of the original glove 160 and the innerannular surface of the original outer support ring 156—which werepreviously exposed to the environment outside the glovebox—from theinside environment of the glovebox to prevent contamination.

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of a gloveport having an alternateglove assembly configuration consistent with the technology disclosedherein. A glovebox wall 320 separates the glovebox side 321 of the wallfrom the outside surface 322 of the glovebox. An annular port ring 300is disposed in a port opening 302 defined by the glovebox wall 320. Anaccess element 340 having a glove 360 is sealably coupled to the annularport ring 300 through a number of components which will be describedbelow. The access element 340 provides access to the glovebox side 321of the glovebox wall 320. The annular port ring 300 can be similar tothat described above with respect to FIGS. 1-6, as it is generallycylindrical and extends at least partially through the port opening 302defined by the glovebox wall 320. The annular port ring 300 defines anouter annular surface 304 and an inner annular surface 306.

In the current embodiment, a port cover 310 is pivotably disposed to bein sealable communication with the annular port ring 300 over the portopening 302. FIG. 10 depicts the port cover 310 in a closed position,and can be referenced in conjunction with FIG. 7 for purposes of thisdescription. The port cover 310 is generally configured to selectablyisolate the access element 340 disposed in the annular port ring 300from activity and substances in the glovebox, such as to shield theaccess element 340 from debris when the access element 340 is not inuse. The port cover 310 has a hinge 312 in the current embodiment, butin some embodiments other structures can be used in conjunction with theport cover 310 to selectively seal the access element 340 from theglovebox about the annular port ring 300. The port cover 310 defines asealing surface 316 that is configured to form a seal against theannular port ring 300. The port cover 310 defines a cavity 314 definedwithin the sealing surface 316 that is configured to accommodate theaccess element. The sealing surface 316 can be a radial surface in someembodiments. It will be appreciated that embodiments consistent withFIGS. 1-6 could have a port cover, and that embodiments generallyconsistent with FIGS. 7-9 could lack a port cover without deviating fromthe scope of the current technology.

Returning to FIG. 7, the access element 340 is generally consistent withthe descriptions above with respect to FIGS. 1-6 in that the glove 360is sealably coupled to the annular port ring 300. In the currentembodiment however, the glove 360 is sealably coupled to a sleeve 365,and the sleeve 365 is sealably coupled to the annular port ring 300. Assuch, the access element 340 is a combination of the glove 360, a glovesealing element 370 that sealably couples the glove to the sleeve 365,and the sleeve 365. The glove 360, the glove sealing element 370, andthe sleeve 365 are mutually configured to accommodate the hand and armof a user such that the user can access the glovebox through theglovebox wall 320. In some embodiments it can be desirable toincorporate the access element 340 currently depicted in a glove portconsistent with FIGS. 1-6, and incorporate the glove associated withFIGS. 1-6 in the currently depicted glove port.

The sleeve 365 can have a variety of configurations, but in the currentembodiment the sleeve 365 defines a tubular accordion shape that extendsbetween an outermost shoulder end 367 and a second sleeve end 369. Theoutermost shoulder end 367 is sealably coupled to a gloveport sealingassembly 350 and the second sleeve end 369 defines a cuff that isconfigured to sealably receive the glove sealing element 370. The glovesealing element 370 sealably receives an outermost shoulder end 361 ofthe glove 360.

The gloveport sealing assembly 350 can be similar to the gloveportsealing assembly 150 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-6. Theoutermost shoulder end 367 of the access element 340, which is the firstend of the sleeve 365, is sealably secured by the gloveport sealingassembly 350. In this particular embodiment, an inner support ring 354and an outer support ring 356 of the gloveport sealing assembly 350sealingly engage the outermost shoulder end 367 of the access element340. The gloveport sealing assembly 350 can have alternateconfigurations with which to engage the outermost shoulder end 367 ofthe access element 340 as well. An outer gasket 358 sealingly engagesthe outer support ring 356 and the inner annular surface 306 of theannular port ring 300. The gloveport sealing assembly 350 has an innergasket 352 sealingly engaging an inner support ring 354.

The glove sealing element 370 can be similar to the gloveport sealingassembly 350 described above, except the glove sealing element 370 isconfigured to form a radial seal with an inner annular surface of thecuff 369 of the sleeve 365. The outermost shoulder end 361 of the glove360 is sealably secured between an inner support ring 374 and an outersupport ring 376 of the glove sealing element 370. One or more glovegaskets 372, 378 are disposed in sealing contact with the cuff 369 andthe glove inner support ring 374 and/or the glove outer support ring 376provide a seal between the glovebox and the environment outside of theglovebox. Alternate configurations will certainly be appreciated. In oneexample alternate configuration, the outermost shoulder end of the gloveis sealably secured to a glove sealing element 370 that couples to thecuff 369 on the outer annular surface of the cuff 369.

FIG. 8 depicts an example replacement glove assembly 400. Thereplacement glove assembly 400 generally has a replacement accesselement 440, a replacement sealing assembly 450, a glove cap 480, and anouter sleeve 490. The replacement access element 440 is generallysimilar to the original access element 340 that is disposed in theannular port ring 300 (see FIG. 7). The replacement access element 440has a replacement sleeve segment 465 defining an outermost shoulder end461 that is sealably engaged by the replacement sealing assembly 450.The replacement sleeve segment 465 defines a cuff 469 at the oppositeend of the outermost shoulder end 461 that sealably receives areplacement glove sealing element 470, which is sealably coupled to aglove (omitted for clarity).

The replacement glove sealing element 470 can be configured similarly tothe glove sealing element 370 described with respect to FIG. 7. Inparticular, a replacement glove inner support ring 474 and a replacementglove outer support ring 476 can sealably engage an outermost shoulderend of a glove (not depicted). One or more replacement glove sealinggaskets 472, 478 are disposed in sealing contact with the an annularsurface of the cuff 469 and the replacement glove inner support ring 474and/or the replacement glove outer support ring 476 provide a sealbetween the glovebox and the environment outside of the glovebox.Alternate configurations are also possible.

The replacement sealing assembly 450 sealably engages the outermostshoulder end 461 of the replacement access element 440. The replacementsealing assembly 450 is configured to be sealably disposed in theannular port ring 300. The replacement sealing assembly 450 is sealablydisposed in the outer sleeve 490. The replacement sealing assembly 450has a leading radial face 451 defining a first coupling structure 457and a trailing radial face 453 defining a second coupling structure 459.The first coupling structure 457 sealably engages the glove cap 480. Thesecond coupling structure 459 is also configured to sealably engage theglove cap 480. Although alternate configurations are certainlycontemplated, in the current embodiment the replacement sealing assembly450 has a replacement inner support ring 454 and a replacement outersupport ring 456 that sealably engage the outermost shoulder end 461 ofthe replacement access element 440. A replacement inner gasket 452 abutsthe inner annular surface of the sleeve 490 and the leading face of thereplacement inner support ring 454. A replacement outer gasket 458 abutsthe inner annular surface of the sleeve 490 and the trailing face of thereplacement outer support ring 456.

The glove cap 480 has a first side 482 and a second side 484. The firstside 482 of the glove cap 480 defines a first mating structure 486 thatsealably engages the first coupling structure 457 of the replacementsealing assembly 450. The second side 484 of the glove cap 480 defines asecond mating structure 488 that is configured sealably engage thesecond coupling structure 459 of the replacement sealing assembly 450.The sides of the glove cap 480 can couple to their respective radialfaces through a variety of mechanisms, as has been described above.

The outer sleeve 490 generally defines an opening that receives thereplacement sealing assembly 450. The outer sleeve 490 is in sealingengagement with an outer annular surface 455 defined by the replacementsealing assembly 450. The replacement sealing assembly 450 and thatouter sleeve 490 are generally mutually configured to allow lineartranslation of the replacement sealing assembly 450 from the outersleeve 490. The outer sleeve 490 defines a leading radial face 498 thatis configured to be at least partially inserted into the annular portring 300, in multiple embodiments. The leading radial face 498 of theouter sleeve 490 is generally configured to interfere with the innerannular surface 306 of the annular port ring 300 such that the outersleeve 490 is prevented from passing completely through the annular portring 300. As was described above, the outer sleeve 490 is not present inall embodiments.

FIG. 9 depicts a step associated with installing a replacement accesselement 440 in the gloveport configuration of FIG. 7. The gloveportsealing assembly 350 having an access element 340, as depicted in FIG.7, is disposed in an annular port ring 300 of a glove port. A leadingface 402 of a replacement glove assembly 400 is aligned with a trailingradial face 353 defined by the gloveport sealing assembly 350 such thatat least a portion of the leading face 402 abuts the trailing radialface 353. A substantial portion of the leading face 402 of thereplacement glove assembly 400 is defined by a glove cap 480. It isnoted that, in the currently depicted glove cap 480 configuration, whenthe glove cap 480 and the trailing radial face 353 of the gloveportsealing assembly 350 are aligned, some portions of the glove cap 480extend beyond the trailing radial face 353 of the gloveport sealingassembly 350. Replacement of the original access element 340 andgloveport sealing assembly 350 with the replacement access element 440and a replacement sealing assembly 450 will generally be similar to thatdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 3-6.

It should also be noted that, as used in this specification and theappended claims, the phrase “configured” describes a system, apparatus,or other structure that is constructed or configured to perform aparticular task or adopt a particular configuration. The phrase“configured” can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases suchas “arranged”, “arranged and configured”, “constructed and arranged”,“constructed”, “manufactured and arranged”, and the like.

All publications and patent applications in this specification areindicative of the level of ordinary skill in the art to which thisinvention pertains. All publications and patent applications are hereinincorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individualpublication or patent application was specifically and individuallyindicated by reference.

This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of thepresent subject matter. It is to be understood that the abovedescription is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.

1. A replacement glove assembly for a glovebox comprising: a replacementglove having an outermost shoulder end and an innermost hand end; areplacement sealing assembly sealably engaging the outermost shoulderend of the replacement glove, wherein the replacement sealing assemblyhas a leading radial face, a trailing radial face, and an outer annularsurface configured to be in contact with an inner annular surface of anannular port ring; and a glove cap coupled to the leading radial face ofthe replacement sealing assembly.
 2. The replacement glove assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising an outer sleeve forming a sealed, frictionalfit with the outer annular surface of the replacement sealing assembly.3. The replacement glove assembly of claim 1, wherein the replacementsealing assembly comprises a replacement inner support ring, areplacement inner gasket abutting the replacement inner support ring, areplacement outer support ring abutting the replacement inner supportring, and a replacement outer gasket abutting the replacement outersupport ring.
 4. The replacement glove assembly of claim 3, wherein theoutermost shoulder end of the replacement glove is sealably engagedbetween the replacement inner support ring and the replacement outersupport ring.
 5. The replacement glove assembly of claim 1, wherein theglove cap defines a substantial portion of the leading face that isconfigured to form a seal with a trailing face of a sealing assembly. 6.The replacement glove assembly of claim 1, wherein the glove cap isconfigured to form a snap fit with the trailing radial face of thereplacement sealing assembly.
 7. The replacement glove assembly of claim1, wherein the glove cap is configured to protect an outer surface ofthe replacement glove from an environment outside of the glovebox. 8.The replacement glove assembly of any of claim 1, wherein the glove capand the leading radial face of the replacement sealing assembly form asnap-fit.
 9. A method of replacing a glove in a glovebox comprising:positioning a leading face of a replacement glove assembly in a portopening defined by an annular port ring to abut an original gloveportsealing assembly; pushing a replacement glove, a replacement sealingassembly, and a glove cap of the replacement glove assembly partiallythrough the annular port ring; mating the leading face of the glove capwith a trailing face of the original gloveport sealing assembly; anddisconnecting the glove cap from the leading face of the replacementsealing assembly.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising removingan outer sleeve from the replacement sealing assembly resulting frompushing the replacement sealing assembly partially through the annularport ring.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the replacement sealingassembly sealably engages an outermost shoulder end of a replacementglove.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the leading face of the glovecap and the trailing face of the original gloveport sealing assemblyform a snap fit. 13-14. (canceled)
 15. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising rotating the glove cap relative to the leading face of thereplacement sealing assembly to disconnect the glove cap from thereplacement sealing assembly.
 16. A replacement glove assemblycomprising: a replacement access element defining an outermost shoulderend and an innermost hand end that is configured to receive a hand of auser; a replacement sealing assembly engaging the outermost shoulder endof the replacement access element, wherein the replacement sealingassembly defines a leading radial face defining a first couplingstructure, a trailing radial face defining a second coupling structure,and an outer annular surface that is configured to be received by aglove port; and a first glove cap having: a first side defining a firstmating structure sealably engaged with the first coupling structure ofthe leading radial face of the replacement sealing assembly, and asecond side opposite the first side, the second side defining a secondmating structure that is configured to sealably engage the secondcoupling structure of the trailing radial face of the replacementsealing assembly.
 17. The replacement glove assembly of claim 16,further comprising an outer sleeve in sealing engagement with the outerannular surface of the replacement sealing assembly, wherein the outersleeve defines an opening.
 18. The replacement glove assembly of claim16, wherein the first mating structure and the first coupling structuredefine a snap-fit connection.
 19. The replacement glove assembly ofclaim 16, wherein the first mating structure and the first couplingstructure define a bayonet connection.
 20. The replacement gloveassembly of claim 16, wherein the second coupling structure configuredto sealably engage a second glove cap of a second replacement gloveassembly.
 21. The replacement glove assembly of claim 16, wherein thereplacement sealing assembly comprises an inner gasket at leastpartially defining the leading radial face and an outer gasket at leastpartially defining the trailing radial face.
 22. The replacement gloveassembly of claim 16, wherein the replacement sealing assembly comprisesan inner ring and an outer ring, wherein the outermost shoulder end ofthe replacement access element is retained between the inner ring andthe outer ring. 23-30. (canceled)